Camilleri introduces legislation to repeal retirement tax

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri(D-Brownstown Township) introduced legislation last week that would repeal the tax on seniors’ retirement that went into effect in 2012. House Bill 4132 will help seniors living on a fixed income afford a secure retirement, instead of having to choose between buying groceries and paying for medication. The bill was sent to the House Tax Policy Committee.

“Michiganders who played by the rules and planned for their retirement had the rug pulled out from under them in 2012,” Camilleri said. “We shouldn’t balance the budget on the backs of those living on a fixed income who can afford it the least.”

The retirement tax was just one in a set of sweeping changes that Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative Republicans made to Michigan’s tax code, including reducing or eliminating tax credits and deductions, such as the Homestead Property Tax Credit, so that big corporations could get a $2 billion tax cut. Camilleri believes that money should stay with seniors and working families so they can put it back into the local economy.

“Too many seniors are making difficult choices they shouldn’t have to make. After working hard their entire lives, they deserve to retire with dignity,” Camilleri said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this bill passed and signed into law.”